EP0006689A1 - Label machine and method for forming tape sections from an endless tape strip - Google Patents
Label machine and method for forming tape sections from an endless tape strip Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0006689A1 EP0006689A1 EP19790301014 EP79301014A EP0006689A1 EP 0006689 A1 EP0006689 A1 EP 0006689A1 EP 19790301014 EP19790301014 EP 19790301014 EP 79301014 A EP79301014 A EP 79301014A EP 0006689 A1 EP0006689 A1 EP 0006689A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tape
- drive roll
- strip
- machine
- endless
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41K—STAMPS; STAMPING OR NUMBERING APPARATUS OR DEVICES
- B41K3/00—Apparatus for stamping articles having integral means for supporting the articles to be stamped
- B41K3/44—Means for handling copy matter
- B41K3/48—Means for handling copy matter for conveying intermittently to or from stamping station
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H20/00—Advancing webs
- B65H20/02—Advancing webs by friction roller
- B65H20/04—Advancing webs by friction roller to effect step-by-step advancement of web
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
- B65H29/24—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by air blast or suction apparatus
- B65H29/245—Air blast devices
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
- B65H2701/192—Labels
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/444—Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/444—Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed
- Y10T83/4516—Work-feed mechanism in nonfeed motion effects or initiates tool actuation
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/444—Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed
- Y10T83/4539—Means to change tool position, or length or datum position of work- or tool-feed increment
- Y10T83/4541—With means to vary magnitude of work-feed increment
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/444—Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed
- Y10T83/4587—Dwell initiated by disengagement of surface of moving frictional feed means from work
- Y10T83/4592—Feed means has rotary motion
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/444—Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed
- Y10T83/4597—With means to control magnitude of work-feed increment or work acceleration
Definitions
- This invention relates to label machines.
- Label machines which are known to the prior art, and which operate with a reel of heat sensitive tape to cut and print labels, are susceptible to two problems in commercial practice.
- One mechanical structure known to the prior art for re- moving such a cut and printed label is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,515,354.
- the structure shown in that patent uses a flipper bar to mechanically flip the label off the printing platen.
- Another mechanical structure known to the prior art for removing a cut off label from the printing platen is in the nature of a small conveyor belt type assembly which, in effect, conveys the newly formed label away from the machine's printer head and cutter assembly location.
- this invention contemplates a label ejector nozzle positioned in operational, relation with the cutter assembly, the label ejector nozzle being connected with an air source. Air dis- charged from the ejector nozzle is operable to blow each label away from the mechanism to a collection station after the label has been cut from the endless strip.
- the nozzle is connected with pneumatic motor means adapted to actuate a component of the label machine, the exhaust air from the pneumatic motor functioning as the air source.
- This novel structure and method insures the label will be removed from the cutter assembly and printer head quickly and efficiently time after time into the collection station.
- the reliable removal of the label time after time insures that a trailing label will not pass partially under or over a leading label and, therefore, insures there will not be any partial printing by the printer head on the trailing or leading label.
- Another objective of this invention is to provide an improved tape feed mechanism which is effective to insure a predetermined label length being accurately reproduced time after time, i.e., which insures the endless tape strip will be extended from the tape reel beyond the cutter assembly an identical distance time after time.
- this invention contemplates a brake shoe movable into and out of braking relation with the tape feed's drive roll. The brake shoe functions to brake the drive roll to a complete stop as soon as the drive roll has extended the endless tape strip the predetermined length, the label length thereby being established and controlled by stopping rotation of the drive roll through use of the brake shoe.
- the brake shoe is fixed to the end of a reciprocable rack, the rack engaging a pinion fixed to the drive roll's shaft, and the brake shoe cooperates with a brake drum fixed to the drive roll's shaft.
- a further objective of this invention has been to provide an improved tape alignment mechanism operable to align, and to maintain alignment thereof, the center plane of the tape reel and the center line of the tape strip with the desired planar travel path of the endless strip through the label machine.
- This alignment mechanism includes novel spool adjustment structure operable to adjust the tape reel laterally relative to the desired planar travel path of the tape strip and novel tape strip adjustment structure operable to adjust the tape strip laterally relative to that desired planar travel path.
- This alignment mechanism permits a label machine to be used with varying width tapes without changing alignment of the tape feed mechanism or the printer head.
- a label machine 10 in accord with the principles of this invention is illustrated generally in Figure 1.
- the label machine 10 basically includes a printer head 11, a tape feed mechanism 12, a cutter assembly 13, a tape alignment mechanism 14, a label ejec- tor nozzle 15, and a collection station 16, all mounted on frame 17.
- the tape feed mechanism 12 includes a drive roll 21 rotated by linear- ally reciprocable rack 22, the rack being powered by pneumatic motor 23.
- the rack 22 carries a brake shoe 24 at its outer end which reciprocates into and out of braking relation with brake drum 25, the brake drum 25 being fixed to rotate with the drive roll 21.
- the cutter assembly 13 includes a cut off blade 26 that cooperates with a cutter anvil 27, see Figure 3, the cutter assem- bly being powered by pneumatic motor 28.
- the label ejector nozzle 15 is defined in nozzle head 29, and is connected by line 30 with the printer head's pneumatic motor 18.
- an endless tape strip 31 is received in reel 32 form on supply spool 33, the strip being wound through the tape feed mechanism in a desired common planer travel path 34 for the endless strip through the machine, see i Figures 1-3.
- drive roll 21 is rotated clockwise as shown in the figures to extend a leading section 36 of the endless strip 31 onto the platen 20, the brake shoe 24 being movable into braking relation with the brake drum 25 at the end of the rack's work stroke 35 so as to instantly stop the drive roll 21, thereby establishing and controlling the predetermined length of section 36 and, hence, for the label 36a.
- the printer head 11 is reciprocated into printing contact with the tape section 36 on the platen 20, the printer head remaining in printing contact with the tape section on the platen to hold it down while the cutter blade 26 of the cutter assembly is operated by the pneumatic motor 28 to cut the predetermined label length 36 from the endless strip 31. Thereafter, the printer head 11 is reciprocated back into the home position shown in Figure 1, exhaust air from the printer head's pneumatic motor 18 during its return stroke being exhausted through air line 30 and, hence, through the label ejector nozzle 15, for blowing the severed label 36a away from the printer head 11 and cutter assembly 13 into the collection box 16.
- the printer head 11, as shown in Figure 1, is pivotally mounted on support posts 40 fixed to the machine frame 17.
- the printer head 11 is pivoted on axis 19 between its home position shown in Figure 1, and a print position (not shown, but where type wheels 41 are impressed against tape section 36 on the printing platen 20) by the double acting type pneumatic cylinder 18.
- the pneumatic cylinder 18 is pivotally fixed at cylinder end 42 to the machine frame 17, and is fixed at piston rod end 43 to cross bar 44 in the printer head 11.
- the pneumatic cylinder 18 is connected with a compressed air source by high pressure lines 45, 46 and valving, not shown, at each end thereof.
- the tape feed mechanism 12 is particularly illustrated in Figures 1-7.
- the tape feed mechanism 12 includes a drive roll 21 having its axle 51 journalled between fixed or immobile side plates 52, 53.
- the drive roll 21 is associated with tensioning apparatus that includes idler rolls 54, 55 which are spring 56 loaded against the drive roll's outer surface, idler rolls 57, 58 which are spaced from the drive roll, and stationary tension pins 59-62.
- the idler rolls 54, 55, 57 and 58 are journalled between the side plates 52, 53, but the tension pins 59-62 are fixed to angle bracket 63 that is mounted to side plate 52.
- the spring 56 loaded idler rolls 54 and 55 have shafts ends 64 journalled in slots 65 defined in the side plates 52, 53, the springs 56 being set in side plate bores 66, as restrained by set screws 67, for holding the spring loaded idler rolls in spring loaded contact with the drive roll's surface, see Figure 6.
- the compression of springs 56 is adjustable through use of set screws 67.
- the idler rolls 54, 55, 57 and 58 are all preferably knurled on the exterior surface, but the stationary pins 59-62 are provided with a smooth surface.
- a presser foot 71 cooperates with the first or downstream idler roll 57 to aid in preventing backlash, and to iron out any wrinkles in the tape strip 31 as it enters the general area of the drive roll 21, see Figures 3 and 5.
- This presser foot 71 includes plate 72 which extends across the idler roll 57 and is held in spring 73 loaded relation therewith by bolts 74 received in the opposed guide plates 52, 53,i see Figure 5. Also, note the guide elements 68-70 which aid in preventing backlash of the endless tape strip 31 as it proceeds through the tape feed mechanism 12, the guide elements being trapped between the inside faces of the opposed guide plates 52, 53 in grooves, not shown.
- the end- less tape strip 31 proceeds in direction 50 from the supply spool 14 through the series of four tension pins 59-62, between the presser foot 71 and idler roll 57, under the idler rolls 58, then up and around the spring loaded idler roll 54, and then around drive roll 21 and under idler 55 to provide a substantially 270° wrap for the endless tape strip 31 about the drive roll 21.
- the endless tape strip 31 is ejected outwardly from the tape feed mechanism 12 in generally horizontal fashion onto support plate 75 and then onto the printing platen 20 until a predetermined length section 36 has been ejected,
- the endless tape strip 31 passes beneath cutter anvil 27 that is mounted on the guide plates 52, 53 across the width of the strip as shown in Figures 2 and 3, cutter knife blade 26 being vertically reciprocable into and out of cutting relation with the cutter anvil as shown in Figure 3.
- the knife blade 26 is guided in its vertical motion by guide plate 76 fixed between the side plates 52, 53.
- the knife blade 26 is powered by an air return pneumatic cylinder 28, and is connected to that cylinder's piston rod 77 at one end, the cylinder being fixed to frame 78 that also extends between the side plates 52, 53.
- the label ejector nozzle 15 is fixed in place on top of the cutter anvil 27, the nozzle including a longitudinally oriented bore.79 therein adapted to direct an air discharge (indicated by phantom arrow 80) in a plane generally parallel to the travel path 81 of the tape strip 31 through the machine, and directed away from the cutter assembly 13 and tape feed mechanism 12 toward collection station 16.
- the machine's collection station 16 is in the nature of a box or tray, and is fixed to the machine's frame 17 downstream of the printing platen 20 so that the label section 36 sliced from the endless tape strip 31 by the blade 26 can be blown off the platen into that tray.
- the tape feed mechanism also includes drive means 82 for rotating the drive wheel 21, see Figures 2, 4 and 7.
- the drive means 82 is comprised of a pinion 83 mounted on drive wheel shaft 51 that cooperates with linear rack 22 extended and retracted by a pneumatic cylinder 23.
- the pneumatic cylinder's housing is pinned at 84 to post 85 on the bracket 63, and free end of the piston rod 86 is connected to the rack 22.
- the pneumatic cylinder 23 is connected with a compressed air source at both ends by air lines 91, 92 to provide positive force on the rack's work strokes 35 and return 93 strokes.
- the pinion gear 83 is journalled on the drive shaft 51 at one end by a one-way clutch bearing 89, and the other end of the drive shaft 51 is journalled in the sideplate 53 also by a one-way clutch bearing 90, the one-way clutch bearings 89, 90 cooperating to allow rotation of the drive roll 21 clockwise as illustrated in the Figures, but preventing rotation of the drive roll counter-clockwise. Any one-way clutch bearing structure may be used.
- the rack 22 is guided in its linear stroke 35, 93, and is maintained in meshed relation with the pinion gear 83, by track 94 fixed to the angle bracket 63, which track carries slide rails 95 received in grooves 96 on opposite sides of the rack, see Figure 7.
- the brake shoe 24 itself cooperates with the brake drum 25 which is fixed on the drive wheel shaft 51.
- the brake shoe's plate 88 is provided with a slot 39 that permits the plate and, ; hence, the brake shoe 24, to move longitudinally of the rack 22 when bolt 38 is loosened.
- the slot 39 and bolt 38 constitute brake shoe locator structure for varying the reciprocable stroke length L of the brake shoe 24 relative to the drive roll 21 and, more specifically, relative to the brake drum 25.
- the work stroke 35 of the rack 22 causes the drive wheel 21 to rotate in a clockwise direction until brake shoe 24 contacts brake drum 25, thereby establishing and controlling the predetermined length L' of the label strip's section 36 extended beyond the knife blade 26.
- the return stroke 93 of the rack 22 simply repositions the brake shoe 24 at a home position preparatory to the next cycle without rotating the drive wheel 21 counter-clockwise because of the one-way clutch bearings 89, 90.
- the tape alignment mechanism 14 is operable to align, and to maintain alignment of, the center plane 97 of the tape reel 32 and the center line 98 of the tape strip 31, with the desired planar travel path 34 of the endless tape strip through the machine 10 regardless of the width of the tape being processed by the labe] machine.
- the alignment mechanism 14 includes a tape strip adjustment structure illustrated particularly in Figures 2 and 3. As shown in those figures, two alignment collars 99 are received in sliding relation on a tension pin 62, the alignment collars being retained in a desired position on that pin by set screws (not shown).
- the alignment collars 99 need merely be repositioned as required on the tension pin.
- the spool adjustment structure 102 is particularly illustrated in Figures 1 and 8.
- the spool 33 includes a side plate 104 fixed on stationary axle 105, the stationary side plate 104 being fixed to that axle at primary hub 106 by bolts 107.
- a laterally movable and rotatable side plate 108 is fixed to secondary hub 109 and is received on axle end 110 against the primary hub 107.
- the rotatable side plate 108 is spring 111 loaded toward fixed side plate 104, compression being retained on the spring 111 by movable collar 112 adjustable along the axle 110 and retained in the ad- justed position by thumb screw 113.
- the spring 111 loaded side plate 108 allows the spool 33 to accommodate different width tapes.
- the stationary axle 105 is received in bore 114 of mounting block 115.
- the mounting block 115 is fixed to the machine frame 17 by screws 116.
- the axle 105 is retained in fixed relation with the mounting block 115, and thereby the spool 33 is also retained relative to center plane 34, by thumb screw 117 (which is threaded into the axle 105) that is slideable in slot 118 in the mounting block.
- Adjustment wheel 119 is threadedly engaged also with the mounting block 115 to bear axially against the spool's axle 105, thereby providing a fine adjustment by which the spool 33 can be moved laterally relative to the axle tape feed mechanism 12 and printer head 11. In this way the center plane 97 of the tape reel 32 can be aligned parallel to the desired planar travel path 34 of the tape strip.
- a new reel 32 of tape is initially installed on the spool 33 by removing sideplate 108.
- the sideplate 108 is then reinstalled on axle 110 with spring 111 being provided with suitable compression through use of collar 112 and set screw 113.
- the tape strip 31 is withdrawn from the reel 32 and threaded through the tape feed i mechanism 12 and under the cutter anvil 27 onto the printing platen 20 as shown in Figure 3.
- the center line 98 of the tape strip is then aligned in the vertical center plane 34 of the tape feed mechanism 12 and printer 11 as shown in Figure 2.
- the center plane 97 of the reel 32 is then aligned likewise in the plane 34 by use of adjustment wheel 119.
- the position of brake shoe 24 relative to brake drum 25 is then adjusted by locator structure 38, 39, so as to define the length L' of the free end 36 of the tape strip 31 which will be extended from the tape feed mechanism 12 upon operation of a single cycle of that mechanism.
- This tape strip length L' is the same as the stroke length L' between brake shoe 24 and drum 25.
- the label machine is now ready to cut and print labels 36a from the tape reel 32.
- the operating sequence commences with the rack's pneumatic motor 23 drawing the rack 22 along work stroke 35, thereby rotating drive wheel 21 to eject a tape section 36 at the free end of the tape strip 31 onto the printing anvil 20.
- the length of the label section 36 is established and controlled by the length L of the work stroke 35, and by stopping the drive wheel 21 immediately upon braking contact of the brake shoe 24 with the brake drum 25.
- pneumatic motor 18 for the print head 11 is activated for pivoting the print head 11 into printing relation with the label section 36 on the printing platen 20, while simultaneously the rack 22 is returned to its home position along return stroke 93 by the pneumatic motor 23.
- the label strip 31 is not moved during the return stroke 93 of the rack 22 because of the one-way clutch bearings 89, 90 as previously mentioned.
- the cutter assembly's pneumatic motor 28 raises the knife blade 26 to cut the label section 36 from the tape strip 31. Subsequently, the print head 11 is returned to its home position shown in Figure 1 through use of pneumatic motor 18.
- the exhaust air from the lower chamber of the print head cylinder 18 is exhausted from that chamber through exhaust air line 30 into nozzle 15, and is discharged through bore 79 in that nozzle so as to blow the label section 36 across the print platen 20 and into the collection tray 16.
- This operational or method cycle may be controlled by a pneumatic circuit through use of suitable control valves, not shown.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Handling Of Sheets (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A label machine for forming individual labels (36) from an endless tape strip (31). The machine includes a novel label removal device (15) which uses compressed air to insure removal of each label to a collection station (16) after it is cut from the endless strip, thereby preventing hang-up of labels at the machine's cutter assembly (26). The machine also includes a novel tape feed mechanism that provides accurate label length control, thereby preventing waste of tape. These mechanisms are preferably used in combination with a printer head, the novel tape feed and label removal mechanisms cooperating to prevent printing errors between leading and trailing labels cut from the endless tape strip.
Description
- This invention relates to label machines.
- In recent years, it has become common practice to bond heat sensitive labels to garments. This use of heat sensitive labels is quite prevalent in the uniform rental industry. In this use situation, a number of labels are cut from a reel of heat sensitive tape, each individual label being printed with, e.g., the customer code number and rental company route number, to insure return of the rental garments to the right customer after cleaning or washing by the uniform rental company. These individual labels have been heretofore produced by a label machine that provides the dual function of cutting the labels to length from an endless tape strip, and printing the code on the labels.
- Label machines which are known to the prior art, and which operate with a reel of heat sensitive tape to cut and print labels, are susceptible to two problems in commercial practice. First, once the label has been printed and cut from the endless tape strip, removal of that label from the machine's printing platen and cutter assembly is generally accomplished by mechanical means. One mechanical structure known to the prior art for re- moving such a cut and printed label is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,515,354. The structure shown in that patent uses a flipper bar to mechanically flip the label off the printing platen. Another mechanical structure known to the prior art for removing a cut off label from the printing platen is in the nature of a small conveyor belt type assembly which, in effect, conveys the newly formed label away from the machine's printer head and cutter assembly location. Both these structures, which have seen commercial use in the past, provide periodic maintenance problems to the user. Further, these. structures are not always totally effective in removing a pre- ceding label prior to a trailing label being thrust onto the printing platen. If this undesirable result occurs, the printer head may print partially on the trailing label and partially on the leading label. The second problem associated with these prior art label machines is the problem of controlling the length of the labels produced. This problem is inherent to the machine's tape feed mechanisms which function to extend or withdraw from the end-j less tape reel a new label length to be cut off by the cutter assembly. It has been found that the prior art tape feed mechanisms are not as effective as is desired to control the label length. Some labels may be too short with the attendant result that not all the printed indicia is received from the machine's printer head on the label, and some labels may be too long with the attendant waste of tape. One prior art tape feeder assembly is illustrated in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 2,515,354.
- It is the primary objective of this invention to provide an efficient and reliable label removal mechanism and method for removing a cut and printed label into a collector from the cutter assembly and printer head area of a label machine. In accord with this objective, this invention contemplates a label ejector nozzle positioned in operational, relation with the cutter assembly, the label ejector nozzle being connected with an air source. Air dis- charged from the ejector nozzle is operable to blow each label away from the mechanism to a collection station after the label has been cut from the endless strip. In preferred form, the nozzle is connected with pneumatic motor means adapted to actuate a component of the label machine, the exhaust air from the pneumatic motor functioning as the air source. This novel structure and method insures the label will be removed from the cutter assembly and printer head quickly and efficiently time after time into the collection station. In turn, the reliable removal of the label time after time insures that a trailing label will not pass partially under or over a leading label and, therefore, insures there will not be any partial printing by the printer head on the trailing or leading label.
- · Another objective of this invention is to provide an improved tape feed mechanism which is effective to insure a predetermined label length being accurately reproduced time after time, i.e., which insures the endless tape strip will be extended from the tape reel beyond the cutter assembly an identical distance time after time. In this connection, this invention contemplates a brake shoe movable into and out of braking relation with the tape feed's drive roll. The brake shoe functions to brake the drive roll to a complete stop as soon as the drive roll has extended the endless tape strip the predetermined length, the label length thereby being established and controlled by stopping rotation of the drive roll through use of the brake shoe. In preferred form, the brake shoe is fixed to the end of a reciprocable rack, the rack engaging a pinion fixed to the drive roll's shaft, and the brake shoe cooperates with a brake drum fixed to the drive roll's shaft. This novel structure insures accurate label length time after time by preventing overrun of the tape feed mechanism at relatively rapid label output rates, thereby preventing waste of the tape supply.
- A further objective of this invention has been to provide an improved tape alignment mechanism operable to align, and to maintain alignment thereof, the center plane of the tape reel and the center line of the tape strip with the desired planar travel path of the endless strip through the label machine. This alignment mechanism includes novel spool adjustment structure operable to adjust the tape reel laterally relative to the desired planar travel path of the tape strip and novel tape strip adjustment structure operable to adjust the tape strip laterally relative to that desired planar travel path. This alignment mechanism permits a label machine to be used with varying width tapes without changing alignment of the tape feed mechanism or the printer head.
- Other objectives and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating a label machine in accord with the principles of this invention;
- . Figure 2 is a top view of the label machine's tape feed mechanism in accord with the principles of this invention;
- Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 2;
- Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 3;
- Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 Figure 3;
- Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 7-7 f Figure 4; and
- Figure 8 is an end view of the spool adjustment structure illustrated in Figure 1.
- A
label machine 10 in accord with the principles of this invention is illustrated generally in Figure 1. Thelabel machine 10 basically includes a printer head 11, atape feed mechanism 12, acutter assembly 13, atape alignment mechanism 14, a label ejec-tor nozzle 15, and acollection station 16, all mounted onframe 17. The printer head 11, as operated bypneumatic motor 18, pivots onaxis 19 into and out of printing relation withplaten 20. Thetape feed mechanism 12 includes adrive roll 21 rotated by linear- allyreciprocable rack 22, the rack being powered bypneumatic motor 23. Therack 22 carries abrake shoe 24 at its outer end which reciprocates into and out of braking relation withbrake drum 25, thebrake drum 25 being fixed to rotate with thedrive roll 21. Thecutter assembly 13 includes a cut off blade 26 that cooperates with acutter anvil 27, see Figure 3, the cutter assem- bly being powered bypneumatic motor 28. Thelabel ejector nozzle 15 is defined innozzle head 29, and is connected byline 30 with the printer head'spneumatic motor 18. - In use, and generally speaking, an
endless tape strip 31 is received inreel 32 form onsupply spool 33, the strip being wound through the tape feed mechanism in a desired commonplaner travel path 34 for the endless strip through the machine, see i Figures 1-3. In response to awork stroke 35 ofrack 22,drive roll 21 is rotated clockwise as shown in the figures to extend a leadingsection 36 of theendless strip 31 onto theplaten 20, thebrake shoe 24 being movable into braking relation with thebrake drum 25 at the end of the rack'swork stroke 35 so as to instantly stop thedrive roll 21, thereby establishing and controlling the predetermined length ofsection 36 and, hence, for thelabel 36a. Subsequently, the printer head 11 is reciprocated into printing contact with thetape section 36 on theplaten 20, the printer head remaining in printing contact with the tape section on the platen to hold it down while the cutter blade 26 of the cutter assembly is operated by thepneumatic motor 28 to cut thepredetermined label length 36 from theendless strip 31. Thereafter, the printer head 11 is reciprocated back into the home position shown in Figure 1, exhaust air from the printer head'spneumatic motor 18 during its return stroke being exhausted throughair line 30 and, hence, through thelabel ejector nozzle 15, for blowing the severedlabel 36a away from the printer head 11 andcutter assembly 13 into thecollection box 16. - The printer head 11, as shown in Figure 1, is pivotally mounted on
support posts 40 fixed to themachine frame 17. The printer head 11 is pivoted onaxis 19 between its home position shown in Figure 1, and a print position (not shown, but wheretype wheels 41 are impressed againsttape section 36 on the printing platen 20) by the double acting typepneumatic cylinder 18. Thepneumatic cylinder 18 is pivotally fixed atcylinder end 42 to themachine frame 17, and is fixed at piston rod end 43 to cross bar 44 in the printer head 11. Thepneumatic cylinder 18 is connected with a compressed air source by high pressure lines 45, 46 and valving, not shown, at each end thereof. Theexhaust air side 47 of thecylinder 18, when thepiston 48 moves from air line 45 end to air line 46 end, i.e., when the printer head 11 is returned from printing position to home position, in response to compressed air through line 45, is connected byexhaust air line 30 to thelabel ejector nozzle 15. The printer head 11 itself, and the inking assembly 49 that serves the printer head, is more particularly disclosed and described in U.S. Patent No. 2,672,811. - The
tape feed mechanism 12 is particularly illustrated in Figures 1-7. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, thetape feed mechanism 12 includes adrive roll 21 having itsaxle 51 journalled between fixed orimmobile side plates drive roll 21 is associated with tensioning apparatus that includes idler rolls 54, 55 which arespring 56 loaded against the drive roll's outer surface, idler rolls 57, 58 which are spaced from the drive roll, and stationary tension pins 59-62. The idler rolls 54, 55, 57 and 58 are journalled between theside plates angle bracket 63 that is mounted toside plate 52. Thespring 56 loaded idler rolls 54 and 55 have shafts ends 64 journalled in slots 65 defined in theside plates springs 56 being set in side plate bores 66, as restrained byset screws 67, for holding the spring loaded idler rolls in spring loaded contact with the drive roll's surface, see Figure 6. The compression ofsprings 56 is adjustable through use of set screws 67. The idler rolls 54, 55, 57 and 58 are all preferably knurled on the exterior surface, but the stationary pins 59-62 are provided with a smooth surface. Apresser foot 71 cooperates with the first ordownstream idler roll 57 to aid in preventing backlash, and to iron out any wrinkles in thetape strip 31 as it enters the general area of thedrive roll 21, see Figures 3 and 5. Thispresser foot 71, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, includesplate 72 which extends across theidler roll 57 and is held inspring 73 loaded relation therewith bybolts 74 received in theopposed guide plates endless tape strip 31 as it proceeds through thetape feed mechanism 12, the guide elements being trapped between the inside faces of theopposed guide plates less tape strip 31 proceeds indirection 50 from thesupply spool 14 through the series of four tension pins 59-62, between thepresser foot 71 andidler roll 57, under the idler rolls 58, then up and around the spring loadedidler roll 54, and then around driveroll 21 and under idler 55 to provide a substantially 270° wrap for theendless tape strip 31 about thedrive roll 21. - The
endless tape strip 31 is ejected outwardly from thetape feed mechanism 12 in generally horizontal fashion ontosupport plate 75 and then onto theprinting platen 20 until apredetermined length section 36 has been ejected, Theendless tape strip 31 passes beneathcutter anvil 27 that is mounted on theguide plates guide plate 76 fixed between theside plates pneumatic cylinder 28, and is connected to that cylinder'spiston rod 77 at one end, the cylinder being fixed to frame 78 that also extends between theside plates label ejector nozzle 15 is fixed in place on top of thecutter anvil 27, the nozzle including a longitudinally oriented bore.79 therein adapted to direct an air discharge (indicated by phantom arrow 80) in a plane generally parallel to thetravel path 81 of thetape strip 31 through the machine, and directed away from thecutter assembly 13 andtape feed mechanism 12 towardcollection station 16. Note that the machine'scollection station 16 is in the nature of a box or tray, and is fixed to the machine'sframe 17 downstream of theprinting platen 20 so that thelabel section 36 sliced from theendless tape strip 31 by the blade 26 can be blown off the platen into that tray. - The tape feed mechanism also includes drive means 82 for rotating the
drive wheel 21, see Figures 2, 4 and 7. The drive means 82 is comprised of apinion 83 mounted ondrive wheel shaft 51 that cooperates withlinear rack 22 extended and retracted by apneumatic cylinder 23. The pneumatic cylinder's housing is pinned at 84 to post 85 on thebracket 63, and free end of thepiston rod 86 is connected to therack 22. - The
pneumatic cylinder 23 is connected with a compressed air source at both ends byair lines pinion gear 83 is journalled on thedrive shaft 51 at one end by a one-wayclutch bearing 89, and the other end of thedrive shaft 51 is journalled in thesideplate 53 also by a one-way clutch bearing 90, the one-wayclutch bearings 89, 90 cooperating to allow rotation of thedrive roll 21 clockwise as illustrated in the Figures, but preventing rotation of the drive roll counter-clockwise. Any one-way clutch bearing structure may be used. Therack 22 is guided in itslinear stroke pinion gear 83, bytrack 94 fixed to theangle bracket 63, which track carries slide rails 95 received ingrooves 96 on opposite sides of the rack, see Figure 7. - The
rack 22, at the free end thereof, mounts the brake shoe 24 (which includes a brake lining 87), the brake shoe being carried onplate 88 fixed to the rack bybolt 38. Thebrake shoe 24 itself cooperates with thebrake drum 25 which is fixed on thedrive wheel shaft 51. Note, as shown in Figure 2, the brake shoe'splate 88 is provided with aslot 39 that permits the plate and, ; hence, thebrake shoe 24, to move longitudinally of therack 22 whenbolt 38 is loosened. Theslot 39 andbolt 38 constitute brake shoe locator structure for varying the reciprocable stroke length L of thebrake shoe 24 relative to thedrive roll 21 and, more specifically, relative to thebrake drum 25. It is this reciprocable stroke length L of thebrake shoe 24 relative to thebrake drum 25 that determines the length L' of the endlesslabel strip section 36 which is extended beyond the cutter blade 26 in response to rotation of thedrive roll 21. Hence, and by moving thebrake shoe 24 longitudinally relative to therack 22 by use of thebolt 38 andslot 39 structure, an increase or decrease in the length L' of the extended endless strip can be achieved since this length L' responds directly to the increase or decrease, respectively, of the brake shoe stroke length L relative to the drive roll. To further accommodate the adjustment of length L', a second hole 37 may be provided to receivebolt 38. Variable lengths may then be made as discussed above. Hence, thework stroke 35 of therack 22 causes thedrive wheel 21 to rotate in a clockwise direction untilbrake shoe 24contacts brake drum 25, thereby establishing and controlling the predetermined length L' of the label strip'ssection 36 extended beyond the knife blade 26. Thereturn stroke 93 of therack 22 simply repositions thebrake shoe 24 at a home position preparatory to the next cycle without rotating thedrive wheel 21 counter-clockwise because of the one-wayclutch bearings 89, 90. - The
tape alignment mechanism 14 is operable to align, and to maintain alignment of, the center plane 97 of thetape reel 32 and the center line 98 of thetape strip 31, with the desiredplanar travel path 34 of the endless tape strip through themachine 10 regardless of the width of the tape being processed by the labe] machine. Thealignment mechanism 14 includes a tape strip adjustment structure illustrated particularly in Figures 2 and 3. As shown in those figures, twoalignment collars 99 are received in sliding relation on atension pin 62, the alignment collars being retained in a desired position on that pin by set screws (not shown). When the tape width increases or decreases (i.e., whenreel 32 is changed), or if the tape is not being retained in desired alignment relative to centerplane 34 of thetape feed mechanism 12 and printer head 11, thealignment collars 99 need merely be repositioned as required on the tension pin. - The
spool adjustment structure 102 is particularly illustrated in Figures 1 and 8. Thespool 33 includes aside plate 104 fixed onstationary axle 105, thestationary side plate 104 being fixed to that axle atprimary hub 106 bybolts 107. A laterally movable androtatable side plate 108 is fixed tosecondary hub 109 and is received onaxle end 110 against theprimary hub 107. Therotatable side plate 108 is spring 111 loaded toward fixedside plate 104, compression being retained on the spring 111 bymovable collar 112 adjustable along theaxle 110 and retained in the ad- justed position bythumb screw 113. The spring 111 loadedside plate 108 allows thespool 33 to accommodate different width tapes. Thestationary axle 105 is received inbore 114 of mounting block 115. The mounting block 115 is fixed to themachine frame 17 by screws 116. Theaxle 105 is retained in fixed relation with the mounting block 115, and thereby thespool 33 is also retained relative to centerplane 34, by thumb screw 117 (which is threaded into the axle 105) that is slideable inslot 118 in the mounting block.Adjustment wheel 119 is threadedly engaged also with the mounting block 115 to bear axially against the spool'saxle 105, thereby providing a fine adjustment by which thespool 33 can be moved laterally relative to the axletape feed mechanism 12 and printer head 11. In this way the center plane 97 of thetape reel 32 can be aligned parallel to the desiredplanar travel path 34 of the tape strip. - In use of the label machine of this invention, a
new reel 32 of tape is initially installed on thespool 33 by removingsideplate 108. Thesideplate 108 is then reinstalled onaxle 110 with spring 111 being provided with suitable compression through use ofcollar 112 and setscrew 113. Subsequently, thetape strip 31 is withdrawn from thereel 32 and threaded through the tapefeed i mechanism 12 and under thecutter anvil 27 onto theprinting platen 20 as shown in Figure 3. The center line 98 of the tape strip is then aligned in thevertical center plane 34 of thetape feed mechanism 12 and printer 11 as shown in Figure 2. The center plane 97 of thereel 32 is then aligned likewise in theplane 34 by use ofadjustment wheel 119. The position ofbrake shoe 24 relative tobrake drum 25 is then adjusted bylocator structure free end 36 of thetape strip 31 which will be extended from thetape feed mechanism 12 upon operation of a single cycle of that mechanism. This tape strip length L' is the same as the stroke length L' betweenbrake shoe 24 anddrum 25. The label machine is now ready to cut and print labels 36a from thetape reel 32. - The operating sequence commences with the rack's
pneumatic motor 23 drawing therack 22 alongwork stroke 35, thereby rotatingdrive wheel 21 to eject atape section 36 at the free end of thetape strip 31 onto theprinting anvil 20. The length of thelabel section 36 is established and controlled by the length L of thework stroke 35, and by stopping thedrive wheel 21 immediately upon braking contact of thebrake shoe 24 with thebrake drum 25. Thereafter,pneumatic motor 18 for the print head 11 is activated for pivoting the print head 11 into printing relation with thelabel section 36 on theprinting platen 20, while simultaneously therack 22 is returned to its home position alongreturn stroke 93 by thepneumatic motor 23. Thelabel strip 31 is not moved during thereturn stroke 93 of therack 22 because of the one-wayclutch bearings 89, 90 as previously mentioned. While the print j head 11 is holding thelabel strip section 36 down on theprinting platen 20, the cutter assembly'spneumatic motor 28 raises the knife blade 26 to cut thelabel section 36 from thetape strip 31. Subsequently, the print head 11 is returned to its home position shown in Figure 1 through use ofpneumatic motor 18. The exhaust air from the lower chamber of theprint head cylinder 18 is exhausted from that chamber throughexhaust air line 30 intonozzle 15, and is discharged throughbore 79 in that nozzle so as to blow thelabel section 36 across theprint platen 20 and into thecollection tray 16. When the exhaust air from thepneumatic motor 18 is completely exhausted, the cycle begins over once again. This operational or method cycle may be controlled by a pneumatic circuit through use of suitable control valves, not shown. - Having described in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, what I desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is:
Claims (10)
1. A machine for forming tape sections of a predetermined length from an endless tape strip, said machine comprising a tape feed'mechanism including a drive roll adapted to contact said endless strip, said drive roll extending said endless strip a predetermined length in response to rotation thereof, a cutter assembly for cutting a tape section of said predetermined length from said endless strip after extension thereof, and an ejector nozzle positioned in operational relation with said cutter assembly, said label ejector nozzle being connectable with an air source, air discharged from-said ejector nozzle being -operable to blow each tape section away from said cutter assembly to a collection station after said tape section has been cut from said endless strip.
2. A machine as set forth in Claim 1, said air source comprising pneumatic motor means connected with said machine, said pneumatic motor means being operable during a work stroke to power at least one component of said machine, the exhaust air of said pneumatic motor means on a return stroke providing the air source for said ejector nozzle.
3. A machine set forth in Claim 2, said machine further comprising a platen on which said tape section of predetermined length is supported prior to being cut from said endless strip, a printer head reciprocable into and out of printing contact with that tape section on said platen, said printer head cooperating with said platen to hold down said tape section while said cutter assembly cuts said tape section from said endless strip, the air discharged from said ejector nozzle blowing 'said tape section off said platen after said newly cut tape section is released by said printer head.
4. A machine as set forth in Claim 1, said machine further comprising a brake shoe movable into and out of braking relation with said drive roll, said brake shoe being movable into braking relation with said drive roll when said drive roll has extended said endless tape strip said predetermined length, the predetermined length of said tape section being established and controlled to said predetermined length by stopping rotation of said drive roll through use of said brake shoe, thereby insuring generally accurate tape section length time after time.
5. A machine for forming tape sections of a predetermined length from an endless tape strip, said machine comprising a tape feed mechanism including a drive roll adapted to contact said endless strip, said drive roll extending said endless strip in response to rotation thereof, a brake shoe device movable into and out of braking relation with said drive roll, said brake shoe being movable into braking relation with said drive roll when said drive roll has extended said endless tape strip a predetermined length, said tape section length being established and controlled to said predetermined length by stopping rotation of said. drive roll through use of said brake shoe, thereby insuring generally accurate tape section length time after time, and a cutter assembly operable to cut said tape section of predetermined length from said endless tape strip.
6. A machine as set forth in Claim 5, said machine further comprising brake shoe locator structure for varying the reciprocable stroke length of said brake shoe relative to said drive roll, said locator structure permitting an increase or decrease in the length of said tape section as extended in response to an increase or decrease, respectively, of said brake shoe stroke length relative to said drive roll.
7. A machine as set forth in Claim 6, said machine further comprising a rack cooperable with a pinion for rotating said drive wheel, said pinion being fixed to said drive roll's shaft, and a brake drum mounted on said drive roll's shaft, said brake shoe being mounted on said rack, the work stroke of said rack simultaneously rotating said drive roll and causing said brake shoe to move into braking relation with said brake drum for establishing and controlling the predetermined length of said tape section.
8. A machine as set forth in Claim 7, said machine further comprising a one-way clutch connected between said pinion and said drive roll, said one-way clutch permitting said rack to rotate said drive roll on the work stroke of said rack, but preventing said rack from rotating said drive roll on the return stroke of said rack.
9. A method for forming tape sections from an endless tape strip, said method comprising the steps of extending said tape strip a desired length from a supply reel of tape, cutting a tape section of desired length from the end of said endless tape strip, and thereafter blowing said newly formed tape section to a collection station.
10. A method as set forth in Claim 9, said method comprising the additional step of printing indicia on said tape section through the use of a printer head, and holding said tape section on a platen through use of said printer head while cutting said tape section from said endless tape strip.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US05/920,178 US4248112A (en) | 1978-06-29 | 1978-06-29 | Label machine |
US920178 | 1978-06-29 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0006689A1 true EP0006689A1 (en) | 1980-01-09 |
Family
ID=25443297
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19790301014 Withdrawn EP0006689A1 (en) | 1978-06-29 | 1979-05-31 | Label machine and method for forming tape sections from an endless tape strip |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4248112A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0006689A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998025559A1 (en) | 1996-12-11 | 1998-06-18 | Lohmann Gmbh & Co. Kg | Application aid for film dressings |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6732619B2 (en) | 2001-11-01 | 2004-05-11 | Brady Worldwide, Inc. | Cutter mechanism |
CN107310197A (en) * | 2016-04-25 | 2017-11-03 | 苏州英派克自动化设备有限公司 | A kind of carton corner pasting machine structure |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1433493A (en) * | 1921-09-09 | 1922-10-24 | Wilden Albert | Typing apparatus for labels |
US3134323A (en) * | 1962-09-17 | 1964-05-26 | Faustel Inc | Web printing mechanism with intermittent feed |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2075037A (en) * | 1934-08-28 | 1937-03-30 | Donald M Hunter | Wrapper feeding and cutting device |
US2133868A (en) * | 1937-05-13 | 1938-10-18 | Ernest D Lane | Tape machine |
US2684655A (en) * | 1952-04-22 | 1954-07-27 | Orson A Kuhnle | Power-operated tape dispenser |
-
1978
- 1978-06-29 US US05/920,178 patent/US4248112A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1979
- 1979-05-31 EP EP19790301014 patent/EP0006689A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1433493A (en) * | 1921-09-09 | 1922-10-24 | Wilden Albert | Typing apparatus for labels |
US3134323A (en) * | 1962-09-17 | 1964-05-26 | Faustel Inc | Web printing mechanism with intermittent feed |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998025559A1 (en) | 1996-12-11 | 1998-06-18 | Lohmann Gmbh & Co. Kg | Application aid for film dressings |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US4248112A (en) | 1981-02-03 |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
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17P | Request for examination filed | ||
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19821008 |
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Inventor name: CLAY, BOBBY J. |